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March 2

We're Still in Training

Our human parents disciplined us for a little while, as it seemed best to them, but God does it for our benefit so that we can share his holiness. No discipline is fun while it lasts, but it seems painful at the time. Later, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it.

—Hebrews 12:10-11

When we think of people in training, we may think of athletes who consciously work to perfect the game of their choice or the prima ballerina who spends hours literally on her toes.

Discipline feels better if we buy into its benefits somehow. As we were growing up, being trained and nurtured by our parents, we may not have appreciated disciplinary measures and yet, we might honestly say, those actions helped shape who we are today.

God is our divine Parent, and in his love for us, he also shapes and molds us. His discipline is meant to bring us closer to him. The obedience he demands helps us become more than we would be without him. As we learned to respect our parents and teachers, those who stood in authority over us as kids, we learn to respect our heavenly Father as well.

It's a good day to accept the beauty of discipline. Get out and perfect your swing, set the bar higher, study the Word . . . for God has a great desire to shape you into one of his own.

In the Flow

Lord, I'm not always happy to go through trials or work on the things that are hard. Help me trust your hand in all that I face, seeing your work perfected in me as much as possible. Thank you for loving me so much. Amen.